The mother of missing tot, Elijah Vue, and her boyfriend appeared at the Manitowoc County Circuit Court in Wisconsin Thursday for preliminary hearings.
Katrina Bauer and Jesse Vang are accused of child neglect, with Bauer also facing additional charges of obstructing officers.
Baur waived her right to a preliminary hearing Thursday, while her attorney also dropped a motion to dismiss a child neglect count. She’s scheduled to return to court on March 22 to enter a plea.
Vang made an appearance in court without an atttoney. The judge said Vang is eligible for a public defender, and efforts by the state public defender’s office to assign him an attorney are underway. His next court date is scheduled for March 21.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Elijah was last seen on February 20 at an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers. Vang was subsequently arrested on child neglect charges.
Baur was also arrested and charged with being a party to child neglect. Vang said Baur allowed Elijah to stay with him for several weeks, starting on February 12, for reported behavioral issues.
A criminal complaint stated that Vang reported the child missing, claiming that he brought Elijah into a bedroom with him at around 8 a.m., and ordered him to stand next to the bed and pray. Vang claimed he fell asleep and when he woke up three hours later, the child was gone.
Meanwhile, the Two Rivers Department (TRPD) announced earlier this week that the reward fund for information that leads to Elijah has reached $40,000, following additional funds raised by the department. This also includes $15,000 from the city, $15,000 from the FBI, and $10,000 from Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers.
Elijah is described as being of Hmong and white ethnicity with dark blond hair and brown eyes. He stands 3 feet tall, weighs between 35 and 40 pounds, and has a birthmark on his left knee.
He was last seen wearing gray pants, a long-sleeved, dark shirt, and red and green dinosaur slip-on shoes. He may have been carrying a red and white plaid blanket.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the state tip line at 844-267-6648, Two Rivers police at 920-686-7200, or the P3 app for anonymous tips.
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[Feature Photo: Elijah Vue/Twin Rivers PD]
